American colonists continued to use British monetary units, namely the pound, shilling and pence for which £1 (orli) equalled 20s and 1s equalled 12d. In 1792 the dollar was established as the basic unit of currency.
Women played an essential role in American society as mothers and homemakers.
Sarah Kimball Potter was born on July 29, 1661 in Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts. Her parents were John Kimball and Mary Bradstreet.
She married John Potter. John was born about 1652 in Ipswich. His parents were Anthony and Elizabeth Potter. According to Cutter, his mother was Elizabeth Whipple and according to Stone his mother was Elizabeth Stone.
When they married they received a gift of land valued at £30 from her father.
Their children inclued:
Mary Potter,
Esther Potter,
John Potter (1680),
Sarah Potter (1685),
Elizabeth Potter (1695,
married Jonathan Perkins) and
Aaron Potter (1699, married Sarah Appleton).
John died September 9, 1718. He was buried in the "Old Yard" at Ipswich. Sarah died in 1724.
Old Style Calendar
Before 1752 the year began on Lady Day, March 25th,. Dates between January 1st and March 24th were at the end of the year. Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) are used to indicate whether the year has been adjusted. Often both dates are used.
Essex County, Massachusetts was created on May 10, 1643 by the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, when it ordered "that the whole plantation within this jurisdiction be divided into four sheires."
